Ve Pathology Vs. Human Pathology

[Nena01]

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Can you guys help clarify the difference between these two fields? I've always wanted to do something related to science/research. At first I wanted to be a small animal vet but my interests changed and I started leaning towards veterinary pathology. However, my family keeps asking me why not become a human pathologist instead.

My question to you guys is what exactly is the difference? I know the salary difference is HUGE as human pathologists make a lot more. What would a vet pathologist do on a normal day compared to a human pathologist?

I just don't know if I could put myself through med school just for a bigger salary..considering I've always disliked human medicine.

 

[No Imagination]

I think the last sentence is key... can you put yourself through med school when your passion is with Vet/Animals?

In terms of the difference between Animal and Vet Pathology, I imagine it is as big or small as you want it to be. I mean, you could (as a vet pathologist), go out of your way to have animal contact, practice SA on the side, collect your own specimens, do (animal) research... all of which would make your job much different than a Human Pathologist.'

Obviously, you could go the other way, and seclude yourself in a lab 12 hr. a day, looking at slides and specimens (I assume you would see more parasites as a Vet vs. MD path), and the two jobs would differ in little more than different norms for different species, a few different diseases, level of detail on some diseases, ect.

The biggest issue, with doing MD > DVM when MD isn’t where your heart is, who the hell knows what you are going to want to do in 10 years. What if, after you’ve had MD level path, you realize that Path isn’t what you want to do…

As a DVM, you can fall back and do something else, perhaps SA, EM, whatever. As MD, well, you would have to do a new residency, and that’s a huge $$ and time commitment (and in the end, you would still be an MD).

If you want to be a Path (at the moment), and love DVM > MD, do DVM-Path. The difference in salary will be made up by not having to deal with 4 years of MD school, 4-7? years residency that you HATE.

Just MHO.

 

[alliecat44]

FYI, there are two different types of veterinary pathologists--anatomic pathologists (who do necropsies, look at entire organisms/organs to determine cause of death), and clinical pathologists (who interpret bloodwork, look at slides, do fluid analyses, etc).

Clinical pathologists working in the private sector (think Antech, IDEXX) make quite a bit of money. Both kinds of pathologists can work in university or corporate settings, or for the government (APHIS, the military, etc) as well as the private sector.

 

[shelterURIgirl]

Keep in mind that for either human or vet pathology you will need to be board certified which requires completion of a residency program. So you're looking at a minimum of 3 years of schooling and training after the 4 years of vet school. I think human pathology requires a longer residency, which partly accounts for the difference in pay.

Have you ever assisted with a necropsy? I only ask because usually people don't get all excited about getting elbows deep in a 3 day old cow. If you find yourself looking forward to necropsy lab while in vet school then you will thoroughly enjoy a 3 year pathology residency and a career as a pathologist.

 

[twelvetigers]

I know that clin paths in the vet world are generally expected to complete at least one year in a private practice setting first, and preferably more... I think this is so you will be more able to help the vets submitting samples, having been there yourself.

 

[shelterURIgirl]

Ahhh yes twelvetigers, thank you for bringing that up. I think most residencies require that you spend a year doing something other than school before applying for a residency. I think this is to make people leave the school environment and actually experience things a little before deciding what career path they want. The residencies are competitive and lots of people who are dead set on "getting" a residency leave for that one year and never come back...

So make that a minimum of FOUR years after vet school to be a pathologist.

 

[Kat0303]

Ahhh yes twelvetigers, thank you for bringing that up. I think most residencies require that you spend a year doing something other than school before applying for a residency. I think this is to make people leave the school environment and actually experience things a little before deciding what career path they want. The residencies are competitive and lots of people who are dead set on "getting" a residency leave for that one year and never come back...

So make that a minimum of FOUR years after vet school to be a pathologist.

As far as I know, most path residencies don't require or expect you to complete an internship before doing a residency.

 

[twelvetigers]

Not an internship, just private practice work. I heard this from a clin path resident! If that adds any credibility. 🙂

 

[Bill59]

Most ACVP residencies (anatomic and clinical) don't require anything beyond a DVM but some require or give preference to applicants with additional clinical experience, such as an internship or clinical practice. Some residencies require you to also complete a PhD which will add a year or 2 to the residency.

Anatomic pathologists, like clinical pathologists, are usually very well paid with a lot of opportunities for industry jobs. Many of these positions are 40-hour weeks with no call so the lifestyle is pretty sweet.

 

[alliecat44]

Not an internship, just private practice work. I heard this from a clin path resident! If that adds any credibility. 🙂

I'm good friends with one of our clinpath residents. He and his residentmates were comparing notes a while ago and remarking on how, even though it's allowed, most people don't go directly into a clinpath residency after vet school. Most people don't get truly interested in it until after they've been in practice and see how cool it is. 🙂 (and how nice the lifestyle is!)

However, you definitely CAN go right from vet school into a clinpath residency.

 

[twelvetigers]

Good! Even though I thought it was required, I'm glad to hear otherwise. I actually think I would really enjoy clinical pathology... the hours and the pay would only make it better. 🙂

 

[rileyroo]

i have noticed that some of the residency positions listed on asvcp have a december deadline for the program beginning the following july (and mention that a year of post-grad clinical experience is highly desirable). do students tend to apply for this residency when they are just one semester into post-grad clinical experience (so that 1 year of exp. is completed at time of program start) or a year and a half later (with 2 years of clinical practice)?

 

[Bill59]

It would be best to contact them directly to find out for sure. But for most internships and residencies you apply 6 months before finishing your DVM or internship, respectively, with the anticipation that you will finish your current program by the time the new position starts.

 

[rileyroo]

ok thank you 🙂